Social Affairs Minister Risma Shows Innovation from Indonesian Persons with Disabilities to the Delegation of HLIGM-FRPD

BOGOR (October 21, 2022) - Several country delegates of the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting on the Final Review of the Asian and the Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities (HLIGM-FRPD) arrived at Integrated Center "Inten Soeweno" in Cibinong, Bogor, greeted with the strains of angklung music. The melodious Sundanese musical instrument is played by gifted persons with disabilities.

A happy hue shone from the faces of the delegates, as they shot this amazing moment with their smartphones.

After the reception, the delegates were invited by the Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini, to see the work of persons with disabilities, as well as the Ministry of Social Affairs' innovations in the form of devices and entrepreneurial products.

"So, this is the last day of the event with UNESCAP. On this last day, we show some of the works of friends with disabilities in Indonesia. One of them is accessibility equipment," said the Minister of Social Affairs.

At this exhibition, the innovative devices from MoSA consist of adaptive sticks, water sensors, electric wheelchairs, adaptive wheelchairs, and tricycle motorbikes. These assistive devices are assembled by persons with disabilities and are designed according to the needs of persons with disabilities.

This accessibility aid, continued by the Minister of Social Affairs, is designed to help persons with disabilities to be economically independent, as well as independent in their daily activities.

"So, the adaptive wheelchair for Cerebral Palsy started when I dreamed that there must be a way for them to stand up and they could do activities like non-disabled people," explained the Social Affairs Minister.

This device was also tried by Undrakhpay Chuluundavaa, one of the delegations from the Mongolian government. "Thank you very much for allowing me to try this wheelchair. In Mongolia, we are also trying to develop technology like this. The wheelchair there has not yet reached the stage like in Indonesia," he said.

Then, the Minister of Social Affairs also emphasized two things that persons with disabilities need, the first is accessibility aids. Second, empowerment so that they can be independent, not depending on anyone for their lives. Two approaches, namely the technology approach and entrepreneurship.

"Like Gading, we help him with three-wheeled motorbikes so he can sell. In the past, he sold using a common-used motorcycle, he only got IDR300 thousand a day. Now, he can get up to IDR 1 million more per day. So, the income is increase with this," said the Minister of Social Affairs.

The Social Affairs Minister will also enrich them with the ability to market their products. The Minister of Social Affairs has also built a platform to market its products through the ATENSI Creation Center in 31 Social Rehabilitation Centers owned by MoSA.

These 31 Centers/Integrated Centers also provide services to all clusters of persons with disabilities. MoSA will also map the skills of persons with disabilities to hone their potential.

On the other hand, the Minister of Social Affairs is also still processing the patent rights for this device for persons with disabilities. This patent is intended to provide legal protection for every intellectual work in the field of technology so that ownership rights are guaranteed.

The exhibition of the work of persons with disabilities received appreciation from the invited delegates from Asia Pacific countries. This was conveyed by Monthian Buntan, Delegation from Thailand.

"I think this adaptive stick is a very good development because it has a variety of features. There are features for water, fire, and obstacle sensors. I will try to push to make improvements to the sensor, the size, and also the weight so that it can be even lighter and can be connected to smartphones," he said.

Monthian also gave input that persons with visual sensory disabilities would want something lighter, stronger, thinner, and smaller, so it's great for supporting accessories like clocks and making them look attractive.